Elizabeth Warren Mourns The Loss Of Her Oldest Brother Due To COVID-19

Source: Twitter

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren revealed on Thursday morning that her oldest brother, Don Reed, passed away earlier this week at the age of 86 due to COVID-19. According to The Boston Globe, Reed – whose full name was Don Reed Herring – tested positive for the virus approximately three weeks ago and died on Tuesday, April 21, in Norman, Oklahoma.

Warren posted a tribute to Don on Instagram that included two pictures – one was of Warren with Don and her two other brothers (John and David Herring), and the other was a picture of Don when he was in the Air Force.

“My oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday evening. He joined the Air Force at 19 and spent his career in the military, including five and a half years off and on in combat in Vietnam (that’s him, on my right). He was charming and funny, a natural leader,” wrote Warren.

The Senator added that what made her brother special was his smile, which she described as “quick and crooked” and one that always seemed to generate its own light. Warren said that Don’s smile “lit up everyone around him.”

The former Presidential candidate said she is grateful for the nurses and frontline staff who take care of her brother, but it is extremely difficult to know that he died alone without family to hold his hand and tell him “I love you.” Warren is also struggling with the fact that there will be no funeral for the people who loved him so they could hold each other close.

“I’ll miss you dearly my brother,” wrote Warren.

Reed enlisted in the Air Force instead of finishing his studies at the University of Oklahoma and flew nearly 300 combat missions. He earned the rank of lieutenant colonel, and after retiring in 1973 he opened an auto detailing shop.

Warren’s supporters during her recent Presidential run may remember that she often spoke about her three brothers during her stump speech on the campaign trail before she suspended her campaign in March.

Elizabeth Warren told the crowds that came to see her that two of her brothers were Republicans – just like she used to be – but they were able to find common ground with her current political views.

Warren also had a campaign video that featured her with all three of her brothers – who call her “Betsy” – as they looked through old family photos.